Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP)
Established in 1972, the Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) was created to promote economic development through direct workforce investment. The program reimburses a portion of employee wages and training costs for newly created jobs during a company’s initial training period, for up to six months.
Reimbursement rates typically range from 50% to 90% of wages, depending on project characteristics, wage levels, and geographic location. (New Mexico Economic Development Department)
JTIP is available to companies that are expanding or relocating into New Mexico and creating new jobs within the state. Eligible industries generally include:
- Manufacturing
- Non-retail service companies that export at least 50% of revenues (such as software development, testing labs, and engineering services)
- Green and clean-energy industries
Employees covered under JTIP must be newly hired, work full-time (32+ hours per week), and meet residency or domicile requirements. Limited allowances may apply for interns or recent graduates under specific program rules. Companies that have previously participated in JTIP must maintain or exceed prior employment levels to qualify for additional funding.
(New Mexico Economic Development Department; New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions)
JTIP reimburses qualifying employers for:
- Wages paid during the training period (up to six months)
- Custom classroom training delivered through New Mexico public educational institutions and aligned to job-specific skill requirements
Additional reimbursement bonuses, up to 5% above the base rate, may be available when trainees qualify for the High-Wage Jobs Tax Credit or meet specific criteria such as being recent graduates or veterans.
(New Mexico Economic Development Department; State Records Center & Archives)
JTIP has a strong track record of supporting job creation statewide. In FY 2025, the program:
- Supported 60 companies
- Trained 1,238 workers statewide
- Achieved an average wage of $25.28 per hour
- Supported 820 workers in rural communities, with average rural wages of approximately $21 per hour
The program also included intern participants and workers trained through the Film Crew Advancement Program.
(New Mexico Economic Development Department)
Companies interested in JTIP typically move through the following steps:
- Eligibility Questionnaire: Initial screening to confirm program fit
- Formal Application & Proposal: Submission of job creation plans, training outlines, and budget
- JTIP Board Review: Proposals are reviewed and approved during monthly board meetings
- Training & Reimbursement: Training begins after approval, with reimbursement issued upon completion
Rapid Workforce Development Fund (RWDF)
The Rapid Workforce Development Fund (RWDF) provides flexible, fast-response workforce funding for companies that need to scale hiring or upskill workers on an accelerated timeline. The program is designed to support projects that cannot align with traditional JTIP timelines or academic training cycles, helping employers respond quickly to urgent workforce demands.
RWDF serves as a supplemental workforce tool, supporting both new employee training and incumbent worker upskilling for high-impact projects across key industries.
(New Mexico Economic Development Department)
RWDF is structured to support time-sensitive or high-impact projects where workforce readiness is critical to project success. Funding is typically applied to projects with urgent hiring needs, often involving large job counts or specialized skill gaps.
The program supports:
- Accelerated hiring and training timelines
- Supplemental funding when standard JTIP timelines are not feasible
- Workforce upskilling for both new hires and existing employees
Projects are delivered in coordination with state workforce offices and higher education or training partners, ensuring alignment between employer needs and training delivery.
(New Mexico Economic Development Department, Workforce Development Overview)
Companies seeking RWDF support must either:
- Be eligible for JTIP, or
- Operate within targeted industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, energy, logistics, or technology
Applicants must submit an accelerated training plan and demonstrate collaboration with public workforce partners or higher education institutions to deliver job-specific training efficiently. (New Mexico Economic Development Department)
RWDF is commonly used for projects that require immediate workforce deployment, including:
- Rapid ramp-up of supplier facilities located near major OEMs
- Large-scale clean energy or data center construction requiring mass onboarding
- Emergency retraining following major expansions, restructures, or facility closures
These use cases allow New Mexico to remain competitive for fast-moving investment projects where workforce timing is a deciding factor.
WIOA funding may support:
- Occupational skills training
- On-the-job training and customized employer training
- Education and workforce integration programs
Employers can also register qualifying training programs on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL), allowing participants to access WIOA-funded training aligned with specific job opportunities.
In addition, WIOA provides supportive services for eligible trainees, such as transportation assistance, childcare, and required supplies, which can help reduce barriers to workforce participation and improve training completion rates.
(New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions)
- America’s Job Center NM
https://www.dws.state.nm.us/en-us/Job-Seekers/America-s-Job-Center-NM - Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL)
https://www.dws.state.nm.us/en-us/Job-Seekers/Job-Preparation/Training-and-Education
New Mexico supports registered apprenticeship programs and career pathway initiatives aligned with both WIOA and the state’s education systems. These programs combine classroom instruction with paid, on-the-job training to develop industry-relevant skills.
Key components include:
- Registered Apprenticeships aligned with in-demand occupations
- Integrated Education & Training (IET) programs that combine adult education (literacy, GED, ESL) with technical training tied to specific job pathways
- Career Pathways initiatives that coordinate education, training, and credentialing across workforce systems
These programs help employers develop long-term talent pipelines while offering workers clear advancement opportunities.
(New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions; New Mexico Higher Education Department)
- Apprenticeship Programs
https://www.dws.state.nm.us/en-us/Job-Seekers/Explore-Career-Options/Apprenticeship - Integrated Education & Training (IET)
https://hed.nm.gov/workforce-training/integrated-education-and-training - Career Pathways
https://hed.nm.gov/workforce-training/career-pathways
New Mexico’s workforce ecosystem is further strengthened by local and institutional training providers that deliver customized, employer-driven programs across the state.
- CNM WORKforce Training Center (Albuquerque)
Provides customized training, upskilling support, and workforce partnerships in collaboration with CNM Ingenuity.
https://www.cnm.edu/locations/workforce-training-center - New Mexico Junior College (NMJC)
Offers scheduled and customized workforce training in areas such as safety, healthcare, and business software.
https://www.nmjc.edu/community/workforce_development/workforce_training/ - Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC)
Delivers industry-specific training and employer partnership programs supporting regional workforce needs.
https://senmc.edu/workforce/ - City of Las Cruces Apprenticeship Programs
Supports apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, including electrical trades, combining classroom instruction with extensive on-the-job training.
https://www.lascruces.gov/
(Central New Mexico Community College; New Mexico Junior College; Southeast New Mexico College; City of Las Cruces)
Together, WIOA, apprenticeship programs, and local workforce partnerships provide employers with flexible training options, reduced hiring barriers, and long-term talent development strategies, supporting both immediate workforce needs and sustained growth in New Mexico.
Advantages & Impact for Employers
- Cost reduction in ramp-up: JTIP and WIOA absorb portions of wage/training cost.
- Faster hiring & onboarding: Pre-approved frameworks help reduce delays.
- Better job match and retention: Training aligned with company needs reduces turnover.
- Scalable skill upgrading: Incumbent worker training allows upskilling existing staff.
- Community alignment: Collaboration with colleges and local agencies ensures local hiring pipelines.